Telescopic box



Nov. 7, 1944. M. WILLIAMSON 'TE'LEscoPIc B0X Filed 000. 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l M u m N T.m. R NH o E..l t "H l. s r. a M

NOV. 7, 1944. M, l, wlLLlAMSON 2,361,984

` TELESGOPIC BOX Filed Oct. 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 87 Mons all l-Wllidmon sas',` '05 B'Y i0 y 9g ATTORNEY Patented Nev. 1, 1944 TELESCOPIC BOX Marshall I. Williamson, New York, N. Y., signor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation oi' New Jerney Application oetobfr 2s, 1941, serial No. 413,779

(ci. 22a-z3) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to folding boxes formed from foldable sheet material and having a plurality of individual sections provided with mutually cooperative limit-stops and slidably related in what is known as a telescopic arrangement.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a telescopically arranged folding box in which the telescopic sections thereof may be positively positioned against inadvertent retraction at predetermined locations within the zone of tele scopic movement of the sections.

In the accomplishment of this object, cooperative tongue and slit interlocking means are provided in corresponding walls ofthe respective telescopic sections for cooperation at whichever locations of telescopic overlap it is desired to positively maintain such sections during filling of the box with contents and during certain periods of use of the box.

Because of these positive interlocking means, the several telescopic sections and the mutually cooperative limit-stops thereof, may be relatively loosely fitted to facilitate manufacture and assembly of the box, as well as to ease the telescopic movement of the several sections thereof.`

An advantageous feature of the invention appears when interengaging limit-stop aps are employed for defining the limit of extension of the telescopic sections. In such circumstance, the tongue or tongues provided for the interlocking means may be cooperatively associated with one or more of the interengaging limit-stop flaps, resulting in a saving in the quantity of sheet material used, and in a tighter and more efficient lock.

Folding boxes constructed pursuant to the invention are especially useful for packaging items of merchandise which are used in relatively small quantities from time to time so that the containers become partially empty and so that those portions of the contents thereof which remain toward the bottoms are diicult of access. The invention enables the folding boxes used for packaging such items of merchandise to be reduced in size, as required, without destroying the eincacy of the boxes as containers. Smoking tobacco is a good example of the type of merchandise referred to.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the several specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 represents a front perspective view of tended and closed condition, as it appears before depletion of contents;

Fig. 2, a similar view of the embodiment of Fig. l in maintained retracted condition after a considerable portion of the contents has been used, and with the top closure of the box open;

Fig. 3. a `rear elevation, partly in vertical section, of the embodiment of Fig. 1 reduced in size, a preferred form of tongue and slit interlocking means being illustrated in the cooperative relationship which maintains the box in the fully extended position of Fig. 1, and a preferred form of limit-stop flaps being illustrated;

Fig. 4, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 3, but illustrating the tongue and slit interlocking means disengaged, and the limit-stop fiaps interengaged for precluding the pulling of the upper section from the lower section in the most extended position of the box;

Fig. 5. a view similar to that of Fig. 4, but illustrating the box in retracted position with the tongue of the interlocking means engaging a lower slit formation, and showing how the retracted box of Fig. 2 is maintained in its retracted position;

Fig. 6, an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 6-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6A, anenlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the line SA-BA, Fig. 4;

Fig. 7, a plan view, considerably reduced in size, of the inside face of the blank used to form the upper and outer of the telescopic box sections of the prior figures;

Fig. 8, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 7, but illustrating the blank used to form the lower and 4inner of the telescopic box sections of the prior figures; 1

Fig. 9, a view corresponding to that of Fig.. 1, but illustrating a somewhat different embodiment of the invention, wherein tongue and slit interlocking means are associated with one set of corresponding mutually opposite wall panels, while limit-stop flaps are associated with a different set of corresponding mutually opposite wall panels;

Fig. 10, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 9, but illustrating the telescopic sections in the same relative position as. are those of the embodiment and view of Fig. 4;

Fig. 11, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 2, but illustrating the embodiment of Figs. 9 and 10, and showing the top closure in closed position;

Fig. l2, a plan view, considerably reduced in size, of the inside face of the blank used to form the upper and outer of the telescopic box sections one embodiment of the invention in a fully ex- 0f the embOdimeDt 0f Figs. 9,10, and 11;

Fig. 13, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 12, but illustrating the blank used to form the lower and' inner o! the telescopic box sections of the embodiment of Figs. 9, 10, and 11;

Fig. 14, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 9. but with the top closure open and illustrating still another embodiment of the invention, wherein the inner section is of full height, this embodiment being without limit-stop means and being adapted for tongue-and-split interlocking only when in retracted position;

Fig. 15, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 14 but illustrating the upper and outer of the telescopic box sections as retracted relative to the inner box section, and a tear-off portion of the inner box section in position to be torn oif; i

Fig. 16, a rear elevation of this last embodiment in the position of Fig. 15, the view being considerably reduced insize;

Fig. 17, a plan view, considerably reduced in size, of the inside face of the blank used to form the upper and outer of the telescopic box sections f the embodiment of Figs. 14, 15, and 16.; and

Fig. 18, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 17, but illustrating the blank used to form the inner of the telescopic box sections of the embodiments of Figs. 14, 15, and 16.

The embodiment of Figs. 1 through 8 represents a preferred form of the invention wherein the tongue and slit interlocking means are cooperatively associated with interengaging limitstop ilaps. The box is relatively broad and thin in this illustrated instance and comprises two telescopic sections, each formed preferably from sheet paper board material, such material being normally used in all the embodiments of the invention. Flexibility and resiliency, to a certain extent, are necessary attributes of the foldable material employed, as is obvious considering the nature of the interlocking means. However, telescopic boxes of a wide variety of other shapes may be constructed pursuant to the invention, and additional intermediate sections may be provided if desired.

'I'he upper or outer telescopic section I0 is hollow-formed from the cut and scored blank of Fig. 7, and has iltted into its lower open end the open upper end of the lower or inner telescopic section II, which is hollow-formed from the cut and scored blank of Fig. 8. The box has an upper tuck-in type of closure I2, and a conventional glued type of bottom closure I3.

The blank of Fig. 'l is cut and scored to provide lateral wall panels arranged side-by-side in serial alignment, there being relatively narrow, mutually similar side wall panels I4 and I5, respectively, relatively broad front and rear wall panels I6 and I1, respectively, and a conventional glue lap I8, Closure-supporting iiaps I9 and 20 extend from the upper ends of side wall panels I4 and I5, respectively, and top closure panels 2l and 22, respectively, extend from the upper end of rear wall panel I1, the panel 2l being the top wall panel, and the panel 22 being the closure tuck-in flap. A conventional arcuate nger-grip indentation 23 is formed in the upper marginal edge of front panel I 6. The closure-supporting flaps I9 and 20 are of novel stubby configuration, arcuate in contour, so that discharge of contents from the box will be interfered with as little aS possible while still providing adequate support for the closure.

Extending lfrom the lower ends of the front and rear wall panels I6 and I1, respectively, are respective limit-stop flaps 24 and 25,',preferabl'y with beveled edges, as illustrated. Extending inwardly of the rear panel I1, from the central part of the score line which separates limit-stop flap 25 from rear wall panel I1, is an arcuate slit 26, 'which denes a tongue 2'I having its base coincident with the said separating score line, but unscored. Accordingly, when the limit-stop aps 24 and 25 are folded on their separating score lines and against the inside faces of front and rear wall panels I6 and I1, respectively. the tongue 21 is brought into downwardly projecting position ready for interlocking with a coordinating slit provided in the corresponding panel of the lower and inner telescopic section I I of the box.

The blank of Fig. 8 is also cut and scored to provide lateral wall panels arranged side-by-side in serial alignment, there being relatively narrow and mutually similar side wall panels 30 and 3|, respectively, relatively broad front and rear wall panels 32 and 33, respectively, and a conventional glue lap 34. Bottom closure-supporting aps 34 and 36 extend from the lower ends y of side wall panels 30 and 3i, respectively, and bottom closure ilaps 31 and 38, respectively, extend from the lower ends of the respective front and rear wall panels 32 and 33, such closure panels and flaps cooperating to form the conventional glued type bottom closure I3. Limitstop flaps 39 and 40, respectively, corresponding to the limit-stop flaps 24 and 25 of the blank of Fig. '7, extend from the upper ends of the respective front and rear wall panels 32 and 33. Slit means for receiving and for interlocking with the tongue 21 of the blank of Fig. 7 are provided at the upper and at the lower ends of the rear wall panel 33. Each of these slit interlocking means preferably comprises, as illustrated, a horizontally extending and upwardly directed arcuate slit 4I and a rectilinear guide slit 42 leading upwardly from the apex of the arcuate slit.

Folding blanks made pursuant to the invention are adapted for rapid production, that is, for cutting, scoring, folding, and gluing all by automatic machinery.

In assembling the completely folded and glued telescopic box sections which are hollow-formed from the blanks of Figs. '1 and 8, the limit-stop flaps 24 and 25 and 39 and 40 of the respective sections are first folded inwardly against the inner faces of their respectively associated wall panels. Then the open, nap-provided, upper end of the lower and inner box section II is pushed into the open, flap-provided, lower end of the upper box section Il) until the respective sets of limit-stop flaps pass each other and the individual flaps of each box section spring outwardly against the corresponding wall panels of the other box section, see Fig. 6. Thereafter, the two telescopically assembled box sections may be telescopically moved relative to each other within the limits permitted by the limit-stop flaps and the end closure of the outer box section.

In order to positively maintain the two box sections in approximately fully extended position for filling and for use, the sections are rst fully extended relative to each other, as is shown in Fig. 4, the corresponding limit-stop flaps of the respective sections interengaging to prevent separation of the sections one from the other, and the tongue 21 of the upper and outer box section I0 is pressed against the rear wall panel 33 of the inner and lower box section II. It should be noted that the tongue 21 cverlies the guide 2,361,984 however, no arcuate slit in the rear panel corren slit 42 of the upper interlocking slit means in this position, see Fig. 6A, and that the pressure exerted on tongue 21 ilexes the material at both sides of the guide slit inwardly, thereby opening the arcuate slit 4I for facilitating entrance of the tongue thereinto. The interlocking of the tongue and slit is completed by pushing down the outer and upper box section i0, after the tongue has entered the arcuate slit, until the terminal ends of the tongue abut against the terminal ends of the slit. see Fig. 3.

When suilicient of the original contents ofthe box has been used, the two sections may be iurther telescoped together to reduce the size of the box, as is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. For accomplishing this, it is merely necessary to again fully extend the two sections relative to each other in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4thereby withdrawing the tongue 21 from the upper arcuate slit 4|-and to then push the outer and upper section I downwardly over the inner and lower box section II until the tongue 21 overlies the guide slit 42 of the lower slit means. The same procedure for interlocking the tongue 21 with the lower slit means is employed as for interlocking the saine with the upper slit means. Accordingly, the two sections are positively maintained in predetermined retracted position during use of the remainder of the contents of the box.

It should be noted that the interlocking of the tongue 21 with the lower slit means positions the upper edges of the inner and lower box section ii substantially flush with the upper edges of the outer and` upper box section I 0, so that the tuck-in closure I2 of the box will seat properly. The lower slit interlocking lmeans is so positioned at the lower end of the rear wall panel 33 as to bring about this flush condition of the upper edges of the respective box sections quickly and positively.

The embodiment of Figs. 9 through 13 represents another preferred form of the invention wherein tongue and slit interlocking means are associated with those wall panels of the box which do not have limit-stop flaps extending therefrom. The box is substantially the same as that of the prior figures, except for the fact that there are sets of oppositely disposed tongue and slit interlocking means associated with the mutually opposite and relatively narrow side wall panels.

The upper or outer telescopic section 45 is hollow-formed from the cut and scored blank of Fig. 12, and has fitted into its lower open end the open upper end of the lower or inner telescopic section 45, which is hollow-formed from the cut and scored blank of Fig. 13. As in the case of the prior embodiment, the box has an upper tuck-in type of closure 41 and a conventional glued type of bottom closure 48.

The blank of Fig. 12 is cut and scored to provide lateral wall panels arranged side-by-side in serial alignment, there being relatively narrow and mutually similar side wall panels 49 and 5U, respectively, relatively broad front and rear wall panels and 52, respectively, and a conventional glue lap 53, all as in the case of the blank of Fig. 7. Here, however, the respective wall panels are somewhat differently arranged, and the glue lap extends from one of the narrow side wall panels so there will be no interference with the tongue and slit interlocking means. As in the case of the blank of Fig. '1, there are stubby and arcuately contoured closure-supporting iiaps 54 and 55, a top closure panel 56 and top closure tuck-in nap 51, and limit-stop flaps 58 and 58. There is,

sponding to the slit 26 of the blank of Fig. 1. Two tongues 60 and 5i are provided at the lower ends of the narrow side wall panels 45 and 5l, respectively, by rigidly extending the lower ends of such side wall panels and forming such extensions of downwardly arcuate contour.

'I'he blank of Fig. 13 is cut and scored to provide lateral wall panels arranged side-by-side in serial alignment, there being relatively narrow and mutually similar side wall panels 53 and 54, respectively, relatively broad front and rear wall panels 65 and 85, respectively, and a conventional glue lap 61, as is the case in the blank oi Fig. 8.. The respective wall panels are here, too, somewhat diierently arranged than in the blank of Fig. 8, and the glue lap extends from one oi the narrow wall panels for the same purpose as in the blank of Fig. 12. As in the case of the blank of Fig. 8,

there are bottom closure-supporting flaps 58 and 69, respectively, bottom closure naps 10 and 1I, respectively, and limit-stop flaps 12 and 13, respectively.

In this blank of Fig. 13, there are two sets of oppositely related slit means provided for the purpose of receiving and interlocking with the tongues 50 and 6| of the blank of Fig. 12. One

of such sets of slit means is disposed at the upper part of the blank, while the other is disposed at the lower part. The respective slit means of each set are associated with the narrow side wall panels 63 and 64, one of the slit means of each set being disposed in one of said narrow side wall panels, and the other being disposed in the other of said narrow side wall panels. The respective slit means of each set are, in the present instance, substantially similarly positioned relative to their respective side wall panels, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 13. Each of the slit means is formed in the same manner as the slit means illustrated and described with respect to the prior embodiment, that is to say, with an upwardly directed arcuate engaging slit 14 and a rectilinear guide slit'l 15, the latter extending upwardly from the apex of the arcuate slit 14.

The individual telescopic box sections are folded and glued as described with respect to the prior embodiment, and the respective box sections arel similarly telescopioally assembled.

The operation of the box is substantially the 'same as aioredescribed with respect to the prior embodiment, with the exception that both of the Vnarrow side wall panels of the asesmbled box must be pressed simultaneously in the interlocking operation.

The embodiment of Figs. 14 through 18 represents still another preferred form of the invention wherein the tongue and slit interlocking means are associated with the rear wall panels of the respective telescopic box sections, as in the iirst described embodiment, but wherein the inner box section is of full height, that is, of a height equivalent to the height of the assembled box, and is.adapted to have an upper portion torn oi when the box is in retracted position. There are no limit-stop flaps provided in this embodiment of the invention, and there are only lower interlocking slit means provided in the rear wall panel of the inner boxl section.

The upper or outer telescopic box section 50 is hollow-formed from the cut and scored blank of Fig. l'l, while the inner telescopic box section ll is hollow-formed from the cut and scored blank of Fig. 18. The upper or outer section 50 provides an upper tuck-in type of closure Il for the box, and has its lower end open for receiving the upper portion oi' the inner box section 8|. Such inner box section 8| provides a glued type of bottom closure 88, similar to those of the fore- .going embodiments.

The blank of Fig. 17 is cut and scored to provide lateral wall panels arranged side-by-side in serial alignment, there being relatively narrow and mutually similar side wall panels 84 and 85, respectively, relatively broad front and rear wall panels 88 and 81, respectively, and a conventional glue lap 88, all as in the cases of the blanks of Figs. 'I and 12. Here, the respective wall panels are arranged in the blank similarly to those of Fig. 12 but might just as well be asin Fig. 7. As in the cases of the blanks of Figs. '1 and 12, there are stubby and arcuately contoured closuresupporting flaps 88 and 90, a top closure panel 8| and top closure tuck-in flap 92. There are, however, it should be noted, no limit-stop flaps, nor other type of limit-stop means. A downwardly directed arcuate tongue 93 extends rigidly from the mid-portion of the lower edge of rear panel Il, and performs the same function with respect to the slit means of the inner box section as does the tongue 21 of the first described embodiment.

The blank of Fis. 18 is cut and scored to provide lateral wall panels arranged side-by-side in serial alignment, there being relatively narrow and mutually similar side wall panels 95 and 98, respectively, relatively broad front and rear wall panels 81 and 88, respectively, and a conventional glue lap 89, as in the cases of the blanks of Figs. 8 and 13. Here, the respective wall panels are arranged as are those of the blank of Fig. 13 but might as well be as in Fig. 8. As in the cases of the blanks of Figs. 8 and 13, there are bottom closure-supporting flaps and |0|, respectively, and bottom closure flaps |02 and |03, respectively, but, as in the case of the blank of Fig. 17, there are no limit-stop flaps. This blank of Fig. 18 differs, also, in that each of the lateral wall panels and the conventional glue lap is provided with an upward extension which increases the height of the inner box section formed from this blank, to an extent equivalent with the height desired for the resulting box as completely assembled. These extensions of the wall panels are designated in the drawings by their respective corresponding panel wall numerals, primed, and

`are separated from their corresponding wall panels by a perforate line |04.

Slit means corresponding to those aforedescribed with respect to the foregoing embodiments, is provided at the lower part of the rear wall panel Il of the blank. It comprises the upwardly directed arcuate interlocking slit |05 and the rectilinear guide slit |08. No upper slit means is necessary in this embodiment, because the assembled box 1s positively maintained in extended telescopic position by reason of the fact thatthe inner telescopic box section 8| is of full height.

'I'he individual telescopic box sections are folded and glued as described with respect to the prior embodiments. In assembling the box from the two telescopic box sections, the upper and outer box section 80 is fitted over the upper part of the inner box section 8|, and is slid down until the upper edges of the two box sections are hush, one with the other. as is clearly illustrated in Pig. 14.

When it is desired to reduce the size of the box due to depletion of contents thereof, the top closure 82 is opened, as in Fig. 14, and the upper and outer box section 8l slid downwardly over the lower portion oi.' the inner box section 8| until the tongue 93 interlocks with the arcuate slit |05 of the inner box section in the manner aforedescribed with respect to the foregoing embodiments. The slit means of the inner box section 8| is so positioned that the upper edge of front wall panel 86 of the upper and outer box section lies substantially flush with the perforate line |04 of the inner box section when the two box sections are interlocked. Accordingly, the upper portion of the inner box section 8|, that is, the portion above the perforate line |04, may be torn oir and discarded, and the top closure 82 will seat properly over the top of the inner box section, as thus reduced in height.

The folding boxes illustrated and described all have the tongue means associated with the outer telescopic box section and the cooperative slit means associated with the inner telescopic box section. This arrangement has been found to be most advantageous. It is possible, however, and 1n some instances it may be found desirable, to associate the tongue means with the inner box section and the slit means with the outer box section. This is especially true where the inner box section is upper and the outer box section islower.

The tongue and slit interlocking means are advantageously of the form illustrated and described, but are not necessarily so, since any form of tongue and slit interlocking means which will accomplish the desired result, namely, positive positioning of the telescopic box sections at predetermined locations relative to one another, may be employed. For instance, the receiving slit may be rectilinear instead of arcuate with the guide slit leading into the center thereof. Also, the tongue may be of any extended formation capable of insertion and tting into the receiving slit. Furthermore, the guide slit leading into the receiving slit has been found to be very effective and desirable, but is not an absolute essential and may be dispensed with.

Whereas this invention has been illustrated and described with respect to several specific embodiments representing preferred forms thereof, it should be clearly understood that various changes may be made in these specific embodiments and various other specific embodiments and other forms of the invention may be consstructed by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and generic scope of the invention, as set forth herein and in the claims which here follow.

I claim:

1. A folding box comprising a plurality of telescopically related box sections, each hollowformed from foldable sheet material, said sections being adapted for telescopic movement relative to one another, limit-stop flap means integrally secured to one of said telescopically related sections along a fold line, limit-stop flap means integrally secured to the other of said telescopically related sections and adapted for interengagement with the mst-named limit-stop ilap means, tongue means integral with the limitstop flap means of one of said telescopically re lated sections, at the fold line and extending in the opposite direction therefrom, and slit means positioned in the other of said telescopically related sections, said tongue and said slit means being arranged for mutual interlocking to positively maintain the said telescopically related sections in desired telescopic position relative to each other, said slit means comprising a tongue-receiving slit and a guide slit extending transversely to said tongue-receiving slit. L

2. A folding box comprising a plurality of telesoopically related box sections, each hollowformed from foldable sheet material, said sections being arranged for telescopic movement re1- ative to one another; limit-stop flap means integrally secured to one of said telescopically related sections, along a fold line; limit-stop flap means integrally secured to the otherof said telescopically related sections and arranged for interengagement 'with the first-named limit-stop ilap means, tongue means integral with the limitstop ilap means oi' one of said telescopically related sections, at the 'fold line and extending in the opposite direction therefrom; and slit means positioned in the other of said telescopically related sections; said tongue and said slit means being arranged for mutual interlocking to positively maintain the said telescopically related sections in desired telescopic position relative to each other, said limit-stop ap means of said box sections being disposed relative to said tongue and slit means to preclude telescopic disengagement of said box sections in the direction of disengagement ofY said tongue and slit means.

MARSHALL I. WILLIAMSON. 

